Croatia vs Belgium
Croatia played Belgium. Either team would advance with a win. Croatia would advance with a draw. Belgium might advance on tiebreakers with a draw. Croatia could still advance with a loss. Belgium would not advance with a loss. Neither team scored in this game it ended in a 0-0 draw. Both teams had plenty of shots. Belgium did get more shots. Possession was close. Neither team was able to find the back of the net though. This only benefited Croatia. Croatia will advance to the round of 16. Belgium will not.
Canada vs Morocco
While Croatia played Belgium, Canada took on Morocco. Canada was already out of the tournament before this game. Morocco would advance with a win or a Belgium loss. Morocco scored early in the game. Their first goal came in the 4′ minute. Canada’s keeper mishandled the ball and Morocco found the back of the net. Morocco would add to their lead in the 23′ minute. Canada would cut the lead down in the 40′ minute. A cross inside the box was deflected by a Morocco defender into their own net. They counted that as an own goal. At halftime the score was 1-2 Morocco. Neither team scored in the second half. Morocco would hold on to win. The final score was 1-2 Morocco. The shots were close. Canada had the majority of possession. With the win Morocco won the group and will be advancing to the round of 16.
Japan vs Spain
Japan played Spain today. With a win, either team would advance. With a draw, Spain would advance. Japan would advance in a draw if Costa Rica lost. If both Japan vs Spain and Costa Rica vs Germany end in draws, then Japan might advance on tiebreakers. Spain could advance with a loss. Japan would not advance with a loss. A lot of scenarios for this game. Spain took an early lead in the 11′ minute. They were unable to add to that lead in the first half. Going into the second half, Spain a 1-0 lead. Japan would come out swinging in the second half. They would score in the 48′ minute to tie the game. Japan took the lead in the 51′ minute. Japans goal is probably the most controversial goal in the world cup so far. The ball was on the baseline. It was not ruled out but the assistant ref did have their flag up. After video review they ruled it a good goal. The final score was 2-1 Japan. The result won’t be overturned. It doesn’t matter if the ball was out or not on that last goal. Spain had plenty of time to score and didn’t. They had a lot of chances. They had 83% of possession. They didn’t do anything with it. With this result Japan won the group. Both Japan and Spain advanced to the round of 16.
Costa Rica vs Germany
During the Japan vs Spain match, Costa Rica played Germany. Costa Rica would advance with a win. Germany would advance with a win if Japan loses. If Germany wins and Spain loses it will come down to tiebreakers. If the game ends in a draw, Coast Rica could advance with a Japan loss. If Germany vs Costa Rica ends in a draw, and Spain loses Costa Rica Could Advance on tiebreakers. Germany would not advance if this game ends in a draw. Neither team would advance with a loss. A ton of scenarios for Group E today. Germany took an early lead in the 10′ minute. Germany had a 1-0 lead at halftime. Costa Rica tied the game in the 58′ minute. Costa Rica took the lead in the 70′ minute on a German own goal. Germany failed to clear a cross into the box off of a set piece. It would go off of one of the Germany players and into their own net. Two own goals in two matches. Germany would then shift into another gear. They tied the game in the 73′ minute. They took the lead in the 85′ minute. Germany added to their lead in the 89′ minute. The final score was 4-2 Germany. Germany had a lot of shots. They extremely outshot Costa Rica. Germany also had almost 90% of possession. The German victory was not enough though. Both Costa Rica and Germany would be eliminated after the result from the Japan vs Spain match.
Japan won Group E. Japan and Spain advanced to the round of 16. Germany and Costa Rica were eliminated. Morocco won Group F. Morocco and Croatia advanced to the round of 16. Belgium and Canada were eliminated.
The Netherlands won Group A. The Netherlands and Senegal advance to the round of 16. Ecuador and Qatar are eliminated in the group stage. England won Group B. England and the United States advance to the round of 16. Iran and Wales were eliminated.
Argentina won Group C. Argentina and Poland have advanced to the round of 16. Mexico and Saudi Arabia were eliminated. France won Group D. France and Australia have advanced to the round of 16. Tunisia and Denmark have been eliminated.
Spain leads Group E. Croatia leads Group F. Brazil leads Group G. Portugal leads Group H.
The final Group Stage Matches are tomorrow. South Korea vs Portugal. Portugal has basically already advanced. They would put an emphasis on that with a win. South Korea could advance with a win. They could also tie Ghana or Uruguay. In that case, they would only advance on tiebreakers. South Korea would not advance with a draw. Portugal would advance with a draw. South Korea would not advance with a loss. Portugal would advance with a loss.
Ghana vs Uruguay. Ghana would advance with a win. Uruguay would advance with a win and a South Korea loss. If Uruguay and South Korea both win it would come down to tiebreakers. Ghana would advance with a draw and a South Korea loss. If Ghana draws and South Korea wins it will come down to tiebreakers. Uruguay would not advance with a draw. Neither team would advance with a loss.
Serbia vs Switzerland. Serbia would advance with a win and a Cameroon loss. Switzerland would advance with a win. Serbia would not advance with a draw. Switzerland would advance with a draw and a Cameroon loss. If this game ends in a draw and Cameroon wins, Switzerland’s fate would be up to tiebreakers. Neither team would advance with a loss.
Cameroon vs Brazil. If Cameroon wins and Serbia vs Switzerland draws they would tie Switzerland. If Cameroon wins and Serbia wins they would tie. Both of these scenarios come down to tiebreakers. Brazil has basically already advanced. Wining would just be the icing on the cake. In a draw Cameroon would be eliminated. Brazil would hold on to the top spot on the group with a draw. With a loss Cameroon would be eliminated. With a loss Brazil would still advance.
The Netherlands will play the United States. Argentina will play Australia. France will play Poland. England will play Senegal. Japan will play Croatia. Morocco will play SpainThe other round of 16 matchups are to be determined.
Zac Electrifly 